Assigning module inputs

In order to use a module in a hierarchy, you need to assign each module input to an actual entity. You can assign a module input to

• Entities that are directly connected to this module with an incoming connector.
• Entities that are defined as module outputs in any module that is connected to this module via an incoming connector.
• Entities defined as module outputs in any submodule that has a connector into the module input.

There are two ways to assign module inputs:

• From within a module, by selecting an available entity that is outside the module.
• From outside of a module, by selecting an entity that has a connector into or out of a module and assigning it to an entity that is inside the module.

Assigning module inputs from inside the module is possible only when you have access to the module. If the module is locked, you can only assign module inputs from outside the module.

To assign module inputs from inside a module

1. Navigate into a module to which you want to assign inputs by double-clicking the module entity on the Map or Model layer.

2. In the module, right-click the entity to which you want to assign an input and then choose Assign Input to. A list of entities that can be assigned to this entity appears.

   

   • If the module input has already been assigned, a check mark appears next to the entity assigned to it (“Quality.normal_service_quality”, in the above example).
   • If an entity is assigned to another entity in the module, it appears grayed out (“Quality.Service_Quality” in the above example).
   • If an entity is a flow, it can only be assigned to a flow if the module output flows into a cloud (sink) and the module input originates from a cloud (source). If these conditions are not met, the entity's name appears grayed out.

   • If an entity is a flow and has already been assigned to a flow in the model, it appears grayed out for all other flows in the model.

     Note: Although module outputs that are flows can only be assigned to one other flow in the model, they can still be assigned to as many converters as you wish.

   • All other listed outputs have not yet been assigned and can be assigned to inputs.
3. Select an available entity to assign to the module input. When an input is already assigned, choosing a different output reassigns the input to the new entity. When you assign a module input, the entity's name is automatically changed to that of the output.

To assign module inputs from outside a module

When you are assigning module inputs from outside a module, you can assign both input entities to the connected module as well as return values from within the module.

1. To assign an entity as an input value to a module input in a connected module, right-click the entity and then choose Assign to. A list of module inputs to which you can assign the entity appears:

   

   • If the entity has already been assigned to a module input, a check mark appears next to the entity assigned to it.
   • If an entity is assigned to another entity, its name appears grayed out.
   • All other listed module inputs have not yet been assigned and can be assigned to the entity.
2. Select an available module input to assign to the entity. When an entity is already assigned to a module input, choosing a different module input reassigns the entity to the new entity.

3. To assign a module output as a return value to an entity connected to the module, right-click the entity and then choose Assign Input to. A list of module outputs that can be assigned to the entity appears.

   

4. Select an available module output to assign to the entity. When an entity is already assigned to a module output, choosing a different module output reassigns the entity to the new entity. When you assign an entity to a module output, the entity's name is automatically changed to that of the module output.

See Also